After a nearly six-month closure for renovations, the historic Dorothea Laub Balboa Park Carousel is finally reopening on July 25, 2023, just in time to celebrate National Carousel Day. According to Fox 5 San Deigo, this much-loved attraction, which turned 100-years-old last summer, has undergone both safety improvements and structural enhancements as part of its careful restoration process.

The renovation was spearheaded by Forever Balboa Park, a non-profit organization that owns and operates the carousel, and the project included the addition of a new roof and the restoration of some of the carousel’s original designs, like a historically accurate coat of paint on the menagerie and the removal of some triangle eaves that had been added later in the ride’s life, as noted on Balboa Park's website.

The celebration on National Carousel Day will include free rides, entertainment, family-friendly activities, and local food vendors. After the grand reopening, the carousel's special summer hours will run daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through August 20. After that, it will be open on weekends and school holidays, with a cost of $4 per ride, or $14 for four rides.

Originally built in 1910 by Herschell-Spillman in New York, the Dorothea Laub Balboa Park Carousel has had a long and storied history. Initially located in Los Angeles after being shipped from New York, the carousel made its way to San Diego in 1915, where it was displayed at the Hotel del Coronado’s Tent City, a summer camping resort for those wanting a taste of the island but unable to afford a stay at the hotel itself. In 1922, the carousel was moved to its current location in Balboa Park, near the San Diego Natural History Museum – but it wouldn't stay there very long.

In 1968, the carousel moved one final time to its permanent spot at 1889 Zoo Pl, when the Bea Evenson Fountain and Fleet Science Center were constructed. Over the years, the carousel has remained a cherished attraction for both locals and visitors to the park, and is one of the few carousels in the world still offering the historic brass ring game.

In a year that has seen the carousel closed and undergoing significant renovations, the reopening marks a triumphant return for this iconic piece of San Diego history, as its many fans have been eagerly awaiting the chance to once again take a spin. In 2021, the carousel was designated a historical resource by the City of San Diego’s Historical Resources Board and was renamed the Dorothea Laub Balboa Park Carousel. This lovingly-restored attraction now proudly stands as a testament to the rich, vibrant history of Balboa Park and the greater San Diego area.

As the carousel's grand reopening approaches, visitors to Balboa Park can look forward to once again experiencing the charm and nostalgia of this beautiful, historic ride. So, if you're in the area on July 25, don't miss your chance to take a spin on this storied carousel and perhaps even try your luck at grabbing the brass ring!